In today’s world, there are a lot of opportunities for students to earn while they are still learning. The increase in remote and online work made this possible and now, profitable freelancing jobs for students are no longer a fantasy but a tangible reality.
There are a lot of different freelance jobs out there, and selecting the right one for your skills will determine whether it can make you some extra cash or not.
Whether you are starting a side hustle or want to kickstart your business ideas, learning high-income skills should be the cornerstone of your strategy. Because all types of freelancing jobs for college students or anyone at all, will need a specific specialty to succeed in.
With all that said, let’s dive into 7 of the best online jobs for students that are not only profitable but can lead to a business.
Freelancing Jobs For Students
1. Content Writing/Blogging
Content writing or blogging refers to crafting digital written content for websites, brands, or individuals. A freelance writer job is also part of this category where you write just about anything that your employer needs to, so if you have good communication skills that you can express through writing then this job might be for you.
This freelance job also gives you the opportunity to kick off your own business by starting your own blog or website and writing for yourself and your product or service rather than an employer.
Just keep in mind that content writing will take some time to earn some extra cash if you decided to do it yourself.
This is because a content writing business will earn mostly through displaying ads, affiliate marketing, or selling its products or services which all need some traffic and userbase to succeed.
While writing for an employer can earn you about $50 per hour on average, though rates can vary based on your skill level and credibility as a freelance writer.
Related: 27 ‘Side Hustle’ for College Students: Opportunities to Explore
2. Web and App Development
Freelance web developer work can be one of the most lucrative online jobs there is but the competition can be the hardest too. You will not only compete with other college students but also professionals who have years of experience.
This does not mean that it’s not possible, it only meant that the reward is worth it, and that’s why a lot of people choose this venture.
The beauty of a freelance web developer job is the potential to work for multiple clients on different projects that can diversify your skillset and work experience. It can also equip you with the expertise needed to complete your own website or application to start a business around.
Proficiency in coding languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript (for web development) or Swift, Kotlin, and Java (for app development) is just the tip of the iceberg. You will need to either learn other complementary abilities or master these fundamentals.
The average salary for Web development is $38.45 per hour. While the average salary for app development is $65 per hour, keep in mind that the higher the salary the more competitive it is.
Both of these freelance jobs can lead to a six-figure pay per year but your potential earnings will vary based on your skill set and the company you have been hired with.
3. Digital Marketing/SEO Expert
Becoming a digital marketing or SEO expert is a top choice for students looking to earn money online. As businesses pivot to the increasing demand for having an online presence, the role of the social media manager stands out.
This position allows students to use their skills and familiarity with the use of social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.
Offering freelance services to manage a business’s social media accounts and craft engaging posts that can lead to more visibility and brand awareness will certainly help you earn extra money. Freelance sites also need a good SEO expert that can make their online presence in search engines more prominent.
Beyond social media marketing and SEO, there are a lot more online jobs that a college student can succeed in that are related to digital marketing such as:
Pay-per-click (PPC) Specialist
Content Strategist
Email Marketing Manager
Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) Expert
Online Reputation Manager
Freelance digital marketing average earnings are about $20 per hour, and SEO experts have average earnings of $48.36 per hour.
Related: How To Start Freelancing With No Experience
4. Graphic Design and Animation
Diving into the world of graphic design and animation opens up a wide array of freelance opportunities for students as the world pivots to visual content and entertaining videos or images, graphic designers or animators can have a number of choices for their jobs.
Whether it is designing marketing materials, crafting brand logos and identities, or creating captivating animations, there’s a plethora of tasks that a graphic designer can do.
Being a student freelance graphic designer can be a profitable side hustle that can be manageable with your studies. And animation just adds another layer to this job, it lets businesses connect with a wider variety of audiences and increase brand awareness.
These student freelance jobs can earn an average of about $25.68 per hour.
5. Video Production/Editing
Video content has become the most popular form of media, especially with the rise of platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. With more businesses leveraging video marketing combined with influencer marketing, students who have skills in video editing or video production will be in demand.
Being a freelance video editor and producer involves more than shooting videos, it also includes creating a narrative or story, ensuring high-quality visuals, editing and refining raw footage, and adding effects to it to create an engaging video that resonates with the audience.
For college students, diving into video production or editing can be a lucrative side gig. The average earnings is about $45.34 per hour. It can either go up or down based on the quantity and quality of your clients.
6. E-commerce Consultation
E-commerce has emerged as one of the most prominent forces that redefine how businesses operate and how people shop.
The increase in online shopping platforms makes way for e-commerce consultation jobs that students can take part in.
E-commerce consultants have a big role in optimizing and helping businesses with their online stores where they sell their own products or services. The responsibilities can range from product listings to optimizing strategies specific to online e-commerce stores.
For students who have a good understanding of how the online market trends work and the use of digital tools to monitor and adjust the business strategies of selling online, e-commerce consultation offers fruitful freelance jobs.
E-commerce consultation jobs have average earnings of $51.57 per hour.
7. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing has grown significantly in recent years. Nowadays, most big brands will have an affiliate program that content creators, bloggers, YouTubers, and influencers can be a part of.
An affiliate marketer’s job is to promote the products or services of businesses by creating engaging content whether it is through writing articles, video editing, or graphic designing. It is especially appealing for those individual who wants to work on their own schedule and from any location, without the need to handle or ship products.
You can earn money online with affiliate marketing by leveraging your personal blog, YouTube channel, or any of your social media accounts.
Different companies offer different commissions per sale on their product or services, some others offer recurring commissions if the service purchased is subscription type.
An affiliate marketer has an average earnings of $91.78 per hour. Which can differ based on your company or the platform you chose to promote your affiliate links in.
Related: Top 10 Side Hustles for Teachers to Make Extra Income
Frequently Asked Questions
How can a student freelance?
Students can freelance by first knowing their skillset and strengths, creating an account on a platform that advertises freelance jobs such as Fiverr and UpWork, then building a portfolio that showcases their work, and bidding for jobs relevant to their expertise.
What is the easiest freelance job to get?
The easiest freelance job to get is basic content writing, data entry, and virtual assistant jobs since they all require minimal specialist knowledge, unlike jobs like web development and graphic design which all would need specific technical skills and comprehensive training.
Final Thoughts
The world we live in today is highly competitive, the same goes for finding freelance jobs as a student. But offering freelance services online will open up a new world of opportunities that can even lead to starting a business.
Focus on finding a freelance job that aligns with your own schedule, intentions, strengths, and plans for the future.
As a professional web and software developer, the author possesses a strong foundational background in Computer Science. This equips him with both academic rigor and practical insights into the world of web-based entrepreneurship. As the founder of this platform, webpreneurships.com, he stands at the intersection of technology and business.
